The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) today (April 28) joined eight Northeast states in issuing a strategic action plan that identifies specific steps that state and federal policymakers and regional transmission organizations can take to pursue interregional transmission solutions to reduce costs for consumers and make our energy systems more secure.

Transmission planning historically focuses on "in region" transmission requirements. This novel plan outlines a range of actions over the next several years to improve interregional transmission planning and interconnection across three different grid planning regions in the Northeast. Key near-term actions include issuance of a Request for Information (RFI) for potential interregional transmission projects that provide reliability benefits and cost savings for consumers. The plan also identifies transmission equipment standardization efforts to support a unified and comprehensive approach to transmission investments.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "New York is pleased to be a part of this strategic partnership so that together with our fellow Northeast states we can find more effective and affordable solutions to maximizing transmission opportunities that can both provide increased reliability as well as deliver additional clean energy to our grid. Not only will this reduce energy costs for New Yorkers, but it will improve system redundancy and efficient movement of resources across our grid."

DPS CEO Rory M. Christian said, "Collaboration and cooperation will help get more affordable electricity to customers throughout this economically vital part of the United States. This innovative plan will give New York the opportunity to investigate and assess key interregional transmission options that have the potential to make the electric grid more efficient and improve reliability for everyone in the region while reducing costs for New York ratepayers. Given the importance of this work, we are proud to partner with other states in the Northeast to explore cost-effective transmission solutions to deliver savings and promote affordable electric service to regional residents and businesses."

In 2023, New York participated in a request to the U.S. Department of Energy to convene a multi-state group - called the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission - a first-in-the-Northeast effort - to explore mutually beneficial opportunities to increase the flow of electricity between the ISO New England, New York ISO, and PJM Interconnection planning regions.

The Collaborative also includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Last summer, the multi-state group signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for coordinating its activities and identified this strategic action plan as a critical next step.

Since that time, the Collaborative has engaged relevant federal agencies and organizations with technical expertise to identify and assess shared areas of focus for interregional transmission cooperation and coordination. Issuance of the strategic action plan is a key milestone for the Collaborative as it seeks to remove regulatory and technical barriers to greater interregional transmission planning and engagement for the benefit of consumers and grid reliability.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said, "Working together is essential to building a more affordable and reliable power grid that meets Connecticut's energy, economic, and environmental needs. Through this first-of-its-kind strategic action plan, we are partnering with other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to identify transmission solutions. This work will help us bring online cleaner, more efficient, and more competitive power supply alternatives for our state and region."

Director of the Maine Governor's Energy Office Dan Burgess said, "Working together with eight other states to conduct transmission planning will help unlock more affordable, reliable energy for Maine and the Northeast. Strategic planning initiatives like this one underscore the value of coordination in advancing a modern electrical grid that can meet our needs today and into the future."

Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky said, "Not having to build new power plants saves Marylanders money. Increased interregional transmission capacity can reduce the need for power plants that exist solely to meet peak demand, which are typically fossil-fueled, and provide congestion cost savings. This collaboration illustrates exactly why state-led climate action is so important to achieving our energy, environmental, and economic goals."

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said, "Regional and interregional collaboration will help get more affordable electricity to customers throughout the region. We are proud to partner with Northeast states in issuing this strategic action plan which will help us explore cost-effective transmission solutions to deliver savings to businesses and residents in the Northeast."

NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said, "New Jersey is proud to work with our partners throughout the Northeast to identify and mobilize around transmission solutions to reduce costs for ratepayers and bolster reliability. As we take a comprehensive look at opportunities to secure short and long-term ratepayer savings, all options are on the table and this strategic action plan will help us explore transmission solutions that deliver savings and reliability benefits for millions of residents and businesses."

Acting Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Commissioner Chris Kearns said, "Improving interregional transmission efforts is essential to lowering long-term energy costs, enhancing system reliability, and meeting our respective states long-term energy goals. Rhode Island is proud to join our Northeast partners in advancing this strategic action plan, which reflects our shared commitment to modernizing the grid and ensuring a more affordable and resilient energy future."

Vermont's Department of Public Service Commissioner Kerrick Johnson said, "States across the Northeast share a common priority to ensure an affordable, reliable and sustainable electric grid. Transmission is at the heart of securing that energy future, and this Strategic Action Plan charts the course on how to make that happen. The Plan complements New England's Longer-Term Transmission Planning initiative and Vermont's successful push for instate renewable generation. We are both proud and grateful to join with our sister states to undertake this collaborative and critical work."

The Collaborative will host a webinar on Tuesday, April 29 at 10 a.m. to discuss the strategic action plan's near-term and mid-term focus areas. Registration information is available here .

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

About NYSERDA

Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York's energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.

About DPS

The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service is to ensure affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State's residential and business consumers, at just and reasonable rates, while protecting the natural environment. The Department also seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.